Loom for mixing filling



Sept.21 ,1937. 1 I w v 2, o9s,629

' LOOM FOR MIXING BILLING Y Filed Jan 18, 1933 '7 she ets-sheet 1 VINVENTOR.

M? mew BY ATTORNEY.

--,w; H. B AK ER LOOM FOR MIXING FILLING Filed Jari. is, 1935 7Sheets-Sheet 2 7 M 8 a) WL q. M. w 1.

INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY.

w. H. BAKER I LOOM FOR MIXING FILLING Filed Jan. 18, 1935 :7Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR.

M w. W

ATTORNEY.

Sept; 21, 1937.

Sept. 21, 1937. A w. H. BAKER 2,093,629

LOOM FOR MIXING FILLING Filed Jan. 18, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY.

Sept. 21, 1937. w BAKER j 2,093,529

' LOQM FOR MIXING FILLING Filed Jan. 18, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 flu V/EWSA'rBorra'M C's/Wm.

1N VEN TOR.

wLwam HEW KW ATTORNEY.

Sept-21,1937 w. H. BAKER 21,093,629

Filed Jan. 18, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Patented Sept. 21, 1937 2,093,629

UNITED s'rnas LOOM FOR MIXING FILLING William H. Baker, Montreal,Quebec, Canada Application January 18, 1933, Serial No. 652,343

8 Claims. (01. 139-243) In weaving the finest grades of woolen fabrics,haustion is detected in any shuttle, I setr'the such as worstedsuitings, it is necessary to avoid replenishing mechanism to function onthe next the insertion of two successive picks of filling arrival ofthis detected shuttle inthe replenishfrom the same bobbin, becauseuncontrollable ing cell of the shifting shuttle-box at the re- H slightvariations in the nature of the filling yarn plenishing end, and notuntil such arrival. Other Wound onto two different bobbins from acomfeatures and advantages of the invention are as mon source of supplyproduce a perceptible difwill be made plain hereinafter.

ference in their appearance in the fabric. S0 An illustrative embodimentof the invention is important is it to mix the picks from different setforth in the accompanying drawings, in

l() bobbins that it has become the established pracwhich:- tice inmaking these highest grade fabrics to em- F g- 1 s a front elevation O2X2 pploy not less than three shuttles, each containing 100m, with theimprovements of the invention filling from the same source and asclosely alike app d etO- as possible, working each shuttle for a singleFigs. 2 and 3 are plan and right-hand end pick only and then succeedingit with the other Views of the same. 15

two or more in a constant series or rotation, so Fig, 4 s an e d ielevation, p y in that the successive picks from any one bobbin Secti Ol e 4- of Fig. showing the parts are separated by two or more picks eachof which and a a ge t p y at the r p enishin comes from different bbbin, end to effect automatic replenishment, the parts The successfulworking of the filling in this being'in their normal inoperativeposition.

manner compels the use of change-boxlooms a. 5 is a p View Of theShifting huttleequipped with shifting shuttle-boxes having two bOX inwhich replenishment is effected, showing or more cells at each end ofthe lay, with the atthe shape of the box and the means for withtendantbox-operating and box-calling mechadrawing the lower binder and lockingthe boxes nism, and these looms are ordinarily not regardagainst S ift.5' ed as good investments, because they could not g. 6 iS a rontelevation of certain of the hitherto successfully be arranged toreplenish Parts f F their filling supplies automatically, with the res aView in vertical section on line 1-1 sult that the manufacture of thesefabrics when of exhibiting the highest degree of perfection has 3 s a ee detailed V in p Of been costly and little indulged in. the box-lockingnd binder-relieving features.

.But I have devised a way in which these Fig. 9 is an enlarged elevationtaken obliquely (ghangeqoqx 100mg can be rendered completely from thefront, showing certain of the members automaticin the replenishment oftheir fillingof supplies, While being Worked in th above mam Fig. 10 isa View of the transferrer-dog on its nor to insert successively a singlepick of filling pp r ls h w n h u r pr from each of three or moreseparate bobbins; vided to work the box-lock and binder-remover.

Recognizingand utilizing the fact that in this 11 s a det of thisactuator. method of weaving at least one cell at one end 12 s aSchematic Showing of the picking of the lay is always empty when the laybeats up, Order of the Several Shuttles, v g the sequence I accomplishthe necessary changing of th Of the various operations involved in theinvenbobbin just prior to its complete exhaustion, by tion, and beingcarried through three y s, one receiving its shuttle in one cell of oneshifting for e Shuttleshuttle-box, forcing a fresh bobbin into the shut-Fig 13 is a p View, and 4 a front elem by h usual th and mechanism, andvation, of certain parts at the left-hand end of 45 polling the oldbobbin through the adjacent cell the a t beam a w g the feeler and orcells in this shuttle-box while the latter are its transmitting V empty.Or I may carry the fresh bobbin through 15 s a p View Of a Shuttle its pnthe empty cell first. The shuttle-box is locked ishing x i ly afterreplenishment, Showing against shifting, enabling proper seating of thethe y Of handling the ew Weft end.

new bobbin in thespring jaws of the shuttle. I F 16 ShOWS the normal pative relation employ a single feeler to detect approaching exbetweenthe feeler-governed latch and its haustion of filling in all theshuttles, bringing actuator.

the latter in succession into contact with the ShOWS the Operating ementeffeeler for this purpose. When substantial exfected between the latchand actuator of Fig. 16

by the feeler on detection of substantial weftexhaustion.

Fig. 18 is a detail side elevation showing the feed-pawl arrangement forthe rotor of the magazine.

Fig. 19 is a rear view of the parts of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a more or less diagrammatic showing, in side elevation, of analternative method of replenishing.

Fig. 21 is a rear view of certain of the parts of Fig. 14.

The invention principles, though equally applicable to change box loomsemploying a greater or less number of shuttles, is herein illustratedfor simplicity in a drop-box loom employing three shuttles and havingtwo cells in each shifting shuttle-box at each end of the lay. The loomitself, apart from the special instrumentalities provided and employedfor the practice of the invention, is or may be all as usual or asdesired in the. way of a 2x2 drop-box loom.

In accordance with the invention in the illustrated preferred form, afilling-feeler or depletion-indicator l is mounted on a suitable stand 3fixed on the lay end l so that the filling-engaging member 5 will bebrought into feeling contact with the bobbin 'lli occupying the top cell1! of the left-hand change-box when the box is lifted to bring the lowercell 9 in picking relation with the shuttle-race I The practice of theinvention is in no way limited to any specific nature of feeleremployed, a feeler of the side-slipping type being shown herein forpurpose of illustration only.

The side-slipping filling-engaging member '5 has a striker l3 projectingforwardly therefrom which when the member 5 slips sidewise. in familiarmanner upon engagement with a substantially denuded bobbin is brought bythe forward beat of the lay into the dotted-line position of Figs. 13and 14, and into contact with a finger E5 of a bell-crank pivotallymounted on a stand ll positioned outwardly from the left-hand end of thebreast-beam it by means of a bracket 2|. A transmitter 23, pivoted tothe other arm 15 of this bell-crank, has its inward end bent obliquelyupward and then levelled off again into parallel with its main extent,this level extremity 25 supporting the usual latch 21 pivoted to theupper end of the arm 29 fixed on the controller rockshaft 3! which whenrocked sets the replenishing devices in position for actuation throughthe forward beat of the lay, as usual. The inward push given to thetransmitter 23 when the feeler slips sidewise serves to propel the lowerbend up an inclined shoulder 2d at the rear surface of the rigidextension 22 of a small stand 26 fixed on the breast-beam to raise thenotched rearward end of the latch 21 from its normal depressed positionof Fig. 16 into the path of the actuator 33, as shown in Fig. 17,whereby the forward motion of the actuator may rock the controllerrockshaft in known manner to call the filling change.

The actuator, pivoted at 35, Fig. 3, on the loom side, is in accordancewith the invention actuated at one-half its ordinary speed, throughengagement of its rearwardly extending arm 31 with a cam 39 on acountershaft ti which is rotated at exactly one-half the speed of theregular camshaft of the loom, one-fourth the speed of the crankshaft,through two to one reducing gears d3, 15, on the camshaft andcountershaft respectively, and engaging each other.

Because the striker it strikes and actuates the finger l5 and recedesrearward again out of contact with such finger before the latch 21 canbe engaged by the actuator 33, means is provided to hold the latch 21 inthe path of the actuator comprising a yielding plate 28 between whichand the adjacent face of the upward extension 22 the bent-under portionof the transmitter 23 is frictionally gripped. The movable plate 28 hasa projection 39 at its bottom which is stepped loosely in an aperture 32in the stand 26, while a screw 3 passing loosely through a hole in theupper extremity of the plate 28 adjustably compresses an expandingspring 36 around its shank against the rear side of plate 28, to createa binding or pinching force on the portion of transmitter 23 which isconfined and guided between extension 22 and plate 28 insufficient toresist travel of the transmitter up the incline 26 to put the latch 2'5in the. path of the actuator 33, but holding the transmitter and latchin uplifted position until engagement between the latch and actuatorshall have occurred on the latters next excursion forward. Thus isprovided the means for holding the replenishing devices and the controlstherefor in readiness to operate, irrespective of the position,relation, or movements of the feeler subsequent to its performance ofits function.

To reset the linkage which transmits the impulse from the feeler to thelatch 21, to reset the parts automatically for subsequent operations onanother filling-supply, the latch 21 is equipped with an integralcam-surface 34 standing normally rearward of the horizontal extremity 25of transmitter 23 supporting the latch. As the latch is driven forwardfollowing engagement with actuator 33, this surface cams the end 25downward from its position in Fig. 16 to the dotted-line position inFig. 17, working the linkage reversely to the movement imparted bystriker l3, and forcing the transmitter down slope 2 all the partshaving thus been restored to their normal waiting position indicated infull lines in Fig. 13.

The devices for effecting the actual insertion of the fresh bobbin inthe shuttle which contains the bobbin found by the feeler to besubstantially depleted are or may be as usual, with the exception of themodifications which form a part of the present invention. In theillustrative embodiment, these replenishing devices are as shown anddescribed in U. S. Patent No. 1,259,768, J. Northrop, March 19, 1918,except as stated to be otherwise. The controller rockshaft 31, Fig. 4,has fixed thereon an arm M which extends rearward under the breast beamand terminates in a sleeve in which slides a vertical rod 49, anexpanding spring 5i surrounding the rod and being confined between thetop surface of the sleeve on arm 51 and a collar 53 fixed on the rod, soas to transmit yieldingly to the rod 49 an upward push incident torotation of the rockshaft 3i and corresponding upward movement of therear end of arm 4'1 which results from the aforesaid engagement of thelatch 21 by actuator 33. A collar 55 on the rod below the arm t! ensuresretraction of the rod downward again when the arm 61 recoils downwardunder the pull of its spring 57. The upper end of rod 29 is pivotallycombined with a pin on the angular extension 63 of the shuttle-feeler65, rearward of the latters pivot 61. As usual, if the shuttle-feelercan assume its intended position across the shuttle-race when the layapproaches and arrives at front center, the rotation thus permitted theshutt1efeeler causes the latch-lifting arm 62, moving inunisontherewith; to. tip up the latchtontrans- -ferrer' dog 69. intoposition to be struck by a hunter surface on the. lay, thereby to derivemotion forcing thetransferrer H downward to drive a new bobbin 13 fromthe rotor 14 of the magazine into the shuttle loccupying theuppermostcell while the latter is raised into its inoperative. oridle'position. above the level of the shuttle-race; and the. lower'cellis in operative alignment withthe shuttle-race. i

Improved means is provided for positioning the next bobbin which is tobe transferred from the rotary magazine, so that it will unfailingly beaccurately presented to the blow of the transferrer andto the jaws ofthe shuttle below it. Such means give the rotor M of the magazine arotational bias tending torotate it clockwise in the drawings andtending to operate from the moment the change is called on .rockingofthe controller-rockshaft'and until after the translferrer has acted,which bias brings and holds the first available bobbin in the rotorfirmly against the bobbin-stop 19, so that no backlash or play back andforth can arise to impair the aim of the transferrer and cause impropertransfer. Thus,,the feed-pawl I8 is rendered independent of th etransferrer, being pivoted at; 89 on one armof a carrier-lever 82pivoted on a stud 84 fixed in the magazine stand and on which stud theholding-pawl 98 also is pivoted.

The otherarm of lever 82 is pivoted to a link 89 whose front end'passesfreely through a hole in the latch-lifting arm 62 of the shuttle-feeler.

A collar 88 is fixed on the link beyond the arm 92 and 1 an expandingspiral spring 99 is confined around the link between the arm 92 and suchon the countershaft 4|.

other arm of lever 82.

An expanding spiral spring 92 has its upper end in engagement withapoint on a horizontal forward extension or tail 94 of the pawl '18 andits lower end engaging with an opposing portion 99 of the' magazinestand to'hold the pawl against theratchet. Thus on the rocking of thecontroller-rockshaft 3| 'the rearward movement of the shuttle-feelercompresses spring 99, acting tolift the feed-pawl bodily upward, thusmoving the rotor-clockwise until the head of the first bobbin 13 isdefinitely positioned against the stop 16, maintaining it there until itis struck by the transferrer; thereafter, the energy still stored in thespring 99 moves feed-pawl 18 farther upward and advances the rotor afterthe transferrer has i again risen, thus bringingthe next bobbin intopositionagainst the stop and beneath the transferrer. The holding pawl98 maintains the parts in this position; while the feed-pawl l8 recedesto its normal position, and until another bobbin is to be inserted in ashuttle. The strength of spring 99 is sufficient to impart enoughimpetus to the rotorto carry it two or more bobbin-spaces past thebobbin-stop in case one or two bobbins are lacking atthis point in therotor; but it is inferior to the strength of spring 5| which acts as thegive-away when the shuttle-feeler strikes the path of swing of the lever81.

comprise a lever 81 pivoted by meansv of a pin. 89

on the underside of a fin 9i extendingforward as aniintegral part of theshifting shuttle-box on a level with and forming a continuation of thebottom of the top cell. This fin, as an additional feature of theinvention, I employ instead of the usual bunter on the lay to strike andactuate the transferrer-latch 99 to provide the impetus for thetransfer. The lever 91, as shown best in Figs. 6, 7. and 8, has at itsleft-hand end a downwardly extending finger 93 standing behind thefreeend of the binder 95, so that rearward pressure on the right-hand end ofthis lever will pull the binder forward out of the lower cell, from itsfull-line position in Fig. 8 to that indicated in dotted lines.

To work the lever 81, an actuator 95, Figs. 4, 10 and 11, is pivoted bymeans of its integral stud 91 on the lower end of an arm 99 fixedagainst any rotation whatever on the transferrer-stud Hi9. Though thisactuator 95 normally gravitates down and hangs idly as shown in Fig. 4,an arm m2 is fixed on stud I94 to which is fixed the transferrer-dog orlatch 69, the stud rotating freely in the lower end of arm E2 ofthetransferrer so that when the dog 69 is lifted the arm I92 will swingrearwardly and a pin I96 in its free end will slide along a cam surfaceI98 on the under side of the actuator 95 and tip up the actuator so thatit will encounter the free end of binder-relieving lever 81 and pushsuch free end rearwardly until flush with the oblique edge of the fin9!. The push given to the lever by the actuator 95 is made yielding bypresenting to the advancing free end of the lever a plunger H0, backedup by a stiff expanding spring H2 confined in a bore H4 in the actuatorby a plug H5 secured by cotter pin H9. .Suitable extensions H9rearwardly of the plunger ensure certainty of its engagement with thelever, aided by a stop H1 engaging the side of arm 99 to preventoverthrow.

To look the shifting shuttle-box at the proper level to ensure completeand accurate seating'of the new bobbin by the transferrer with its ringsproperly gripped by the spring jaws in the shuttle, a pin I29 issuitably fixed as by nuts l22in a hole at the front end of a forwardextension J24, fixed on the lay end at I26, this locking pin extendingthrough a hole i253 in the fin 9i within The side of this locking-pin isslotted at I39, Figs. 8 and 9, so thatthis lever, when swung byengagement with its actuator 95 into the dotted-line position of Fig. 8to withdraw the lower binder, will enter this slot and lock thisshifting shuttle-box against movement downward under the blowtransmitted to it by the transferrer in driving the fresh bobbin intothe shuttle. This locking is a vital essential to successful transferinto a shifting shuttle-box, for in the absence of means for locking thebox, the give-way mounting of the box necessary to provide for. trappedshuttles would tend to let go wholly or partly at the instant oftransfer, resultingin improper seating of the new bobbin throughdownward yielding of the shuttle-box and other obvious complications.The sustaining effort of pin I28 is preferably applied as close aspossible to the point of application of the blow incident to transfer,namely at the point in the drop-box length where the butts of the oldand new bobbins come together, to prevent twisting of the drop-box inits guides. To prevent the lever 81 accidentally engaging the notch Hit,a contracting spring I33, anchored to the fin at I34, normally holds thelever away from the pin I20.

Because it is essential to complete the locking of the boxes by lever 87completely before the bobbin transfer commences, the actuator 95 is setso that its plunger III! will have struck and moved lever Bl into thedotted-line or completely locked position of Fig. 8 before the strikeredge iii of the fin engages the transferrer-dog 69. See Fig. 5. Thespring I M, which is superior in strength and leverage to spring I33,provides for the necessary actuation of the lever 81 by plunger Ilfijust referred to and still to permit the final increment of forwardtravel of the lay which actuates the transferrer. The offset relation ofthe exposed portion of lever 81 with respect to the portion of the finSI which engages the transferrer-dcg, ensures that this lever will notbe broken oif in case the shuttlefeeler 65 revokes the transfer anddepresses the transferrer-dog.

Since in the preferred embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 2,the shuttle to be replenished is not on the level of the shuttle-race,but is raised at least one cell above such level, the shuttle-feeler 65has to be arranged in new manner. For the same reason, the wholetransferrer mechanism, as will be obvious, is likewise raised the heightof at least one cell above the shuttle-race. Hence, to determine whetherthe shuttle is in proper position for replenishing, the shuttle-feelerswings through a slot I36, Fig. 6, cut in the front wall of the shiftingshuttle-box, extending partway down from the r level of the partitionbetween the top and bottom cells, which partition is correspondingly cutaway as indicated at E38, Fig. 5, and feels for the tip of the shuttlein known manner. As usual, the shuttle-feeler carries the old weft-endparter and holder 66, which as seen operates at a height one cell abovethe shuttle-race.

Because of the new problems introduced by replenishing into a shuttleelevated above the shuttle-race, which involves the correspondingelevation of the replenishing instrumentalities, magazine, etc, and alsobecause of the necessary order of working the boxes, a new system ofcontrolling the old and the incoming weft ends has had to be devised.After the fresh bobbin has been inserted at front center into theuplifted top cell of the right-hand box, the lay has to make anexcursion rearward and again forward before the shuttle goes intoaction. If the weft-end should be left to its own devices, it would bebroken on the first rearward beat of the lay, because the yarn would notbe drawn off from the new bobbin from the end thereof but would bepulled in a varying generally radial direction. For this reason, ashuttle-threader I44, Figs. 5 and i5, is provided at the outward end ofthe top cell beyond the outermost position of the slit-threader of theshuttle and on the top surface of such cell, substantially in line withthe axis of the bobbin in the shuttle of such cell. Normally, this pinpasses just below the weft-end of the lowermost bobbin standing in therotor in readiness for replenishment; but when this lowermost bobbin isforced into the shuttle, the changed angle of its filling end brings thelatter into position to be intercepted by the pin on the next rearwardstroke of the lay. Bending around this pin, the weft is alwaysmaintained in line with the bobbin axis, and can draw freely over theend of the bobbin and around this pin to provide the necessary lengthfor the back stroke of the lay. Further, this drawing-off action effectsthe threading of the shuttle during this same back stroke of the lay andwholly before this shuttle is picked, the top surface of the top. cellof the right-hand shuttle-box being cut away as indicated at I48, Figs.5 and 15, to provide for the necessary descent of the new weft-end intothe thread passage of the usual automatic slitthreader occupying theproximate end of the shuttle as shown in Fig. 15.

When the newly replenished shuttle is lowered into working position bythe shift of the changebox, this second change in the angle of lead ofthe new weft-end lifts it off from the shuttlethreading pin I44. that onthe ensuing pick the weft shall be laid far enough forward of the reedto fall in the path of the filling-fork. As a further protection, theweft-end is prevented from slipping rearward around the under surface ofthe thread-support 553 of the magazine to a point where it likewisecould escape the filling-fork, by a weft-end detent I52, Figs. 3 and 15,mounted on a part of the loom arch or other fixed part, which presents aU-shaped trap to intercept each weft-end in turn as its bobbin arrivesin replenishing position in the magazine, engaging the weft-end. betweenthe thread-support I and the end of the bobbin at a point close to thethread-support. Engaged in this U-shaped trap, the new weft-end isprevented from shifting around the rim of the thread-support I50, and isgiven the proper starting point for its angular extent across the loomso as to be laid properly in the path of the weftfork. The rearwardextent of the detent adjacent the U-shaped trap serves as aguide-surface to lead each weft-end in turn into the trap.

To permit escape of the old weft-end extending from the selvage to theweft-parter 66 and held by the latter after parting, so as to preventbreakage of this length of filling by the receding lay, the usualmouth-piece of the upper cell, against which the binder thereof normallytakes bearing, is dispensed with, and the box is Wholly open at itsfront side, from the binder-guicle I40 inward. But to prevent this oldweft-end escaping forwardly out of this end of the top cell so as toavoid the weft-parter, after this cell has been lifted and during therearward movement of the lay incident to picking out the lower shuttlefrom beneath this cell preparatory to the replenishing action, athread-catcher I54 projects up as an extension of the front wall of thelower box above the level of the floor of the top box, so as to presenta thread-engaging rearward surface which keeps the weft-end of the spentbobbin within the top cell in position to be seized and parted by theweft-parter 66. In doing this, the weft-parter lifts it sufficiently outof the box as the lay recedes after parting, this action beingfacilitated by bevelling the outward end of this part of thethread-catcher as shown in Fig. 6.

To prevent either slack forming in the old weft-end between the selvageand the weftparter 66, or the creation of enough tension to This isnecessary, in order r tangledin its egress from the top cell.

pull the old end out of the weft-parter, either of shuttle-feeler ismounted on its pivot 61 to swing in a vertical plane fore and aft theloom, with no movement along the axis of such pivot, thus attaining thesubstantially equidistant position of the weft-parter at both extremesof the shuttle-feelers stroke needed to guide the weft-end into theselvage-trimmer. This results from parting the weft at the elevatedposition of the inactive cell.

It is to be noted that the whole top surface of the top cell has beencut back as indicated at 8| to form a narrow shuttle-guide only a smallfraction of an inch in width. Thus the new weft-end, still held at oneend through attachment to the magazine, swings freely upward and forwardout of the top cell as the newly replenished shuttle is picked. Toprevent this weftend from being caught by the notch in lockingpin 120,which now stands about at the level of the top of the upperbinder-guide, a thread-deflector 56 is provided in connection with thetop of the binder-guide M8 for the top cell, which steers the trailingnew weft-end clear of this pin and other parts on which it might becomeen- To prevent its reentry or possible fouling on the parts of the layand shifting shuttle-boxes on subsequent forward beats of the lay, ashield I58, Fig. 7, is mounted on the usual striker I60 provided inusual manner on the lay end to close the wef parter. This shield is ofsuitable shape to prevent the filling, once it has escaped, fromreturning on subsequent beats of the lay, to become fouled on the end ofthe binder, binder-guide, locking-pin, or other parts. This shield maybe of slender circular cross-section, and as shown in Fig. 7 cooperateswith the protector finger N52 to provide a narrow opening between theextremities of these two parts through which the filling may easilyescape, but cannot reenter.

A new and useful form of binder-guide has been developed, comprising theright-angled extensions I40 and I42, Figs. 7 and 8, forming part withthe front wall of the shifting shuttle-box, and being joined also to thefin 9!.

Fig, 12 shows diagrammatically the method or system of operation of myinvention. It portrays the complete cycle of replenishment for each ofthe three shuttles, presuming all three to have reached substantialexhaustion in sequence. In the replenishing cycle for shuttle #1, atstage #1, this shuttle has just been picked across to the left-hand topcell and lifted to bring its contents into engagement with the feeler,but this motion of the left-hand boxes, and full feeling contact, hadnot been completed until the lay had passed front center.

The boxes are arranged to shift at one end of the lay only during eachrotation of the crankshaft, hence the left-hand boxes stay elevated foralmost two complete turns of the crankshaft, and thus the feeler remainsin feeling contact for this full period, its striker engaging the fingerl5 and setting the latch 21 as the lay heats up in the middle of thisperiod, which engagement comes between the events pictured in stages. #1and #2. Following the shift of shuttle #1 into feeling position, shuttle#2 is picked out from under and across the loom, as indicated in stage#1. Then the right-hand box is, dropped, and shuttle #3 is picked out ofthe top or replenishing cell of the right-hand box and into the lefthandcell just vacated by shuttle #2, as shown in stage #2. The left-hand boxhaving been dropped, shuttle #1 is picked across to the replenishingcell of the right-hand box as indicated in stage #3. rises, and shuttle#2 is picked out from under the replenishing cell, as indicated in stage#4:.

Then, as the lay arrives at front center, the transfer of a new bobbininto shuttle #1 occupying the lifted replenishing cell of the right-handbox is effected by the replenishing mechanism described, the actuator 33having shortly previously made. engagement with and thrust forward thelatch 21 to present the transferrer-dog 63 to the blow of the lay as itcompletes this forward stroke. The transfer being completed while thelay is forward, it is finished long before shuttle #3 arrives beneathshuttle #1, which occurs at bottom center or the completion of thefollowing pick. From this it will be plain that the completereplenishing cycle, from the time of detection of approaching exhaustionto replenishment of this spent filling-carrier, takes four cycles of theloom, or four turns of the crankshaft.

An exactly similar replenishing cycle occurs for shuttles #2 and #3, asindicated by the numerals and positions on the diagram of Fig. 12.

Though the invention has been presented as embodied in a loom havingfour shuttle cells, two to each shifting shuttle-box at each end of thelay, and employing three shuttles, it is obvious that any desired numberof shuttles may be used in mixing the filling, the only requirementbeing that the shuttle-box at the replenishing end shall have only oneshuttle in it at the moment of transfer.

Fig. 20 shows an alternative method of employing the basic principle ofthe invention of employing an empty cell of the change-box as a corridorfor the exchange of bobbins, In this case, it is the top cell 5 3 of thechange-box which is empty, the shuttle H66 containing the spentfilling-carrier Hi8 occupying the bottom cell Hi).

The transferrer H2 is arranged for a longer stroke and for penetratingthrough the empty cell to reach the shuttle in the cell below; it isequipped with spring clips H4 grasping the new bobbin, or other suitablemeans to control the new bobbin in its increased travel from' the hopperto the shuttle. The arrangement of all other cooperating parts may be asdescribed hereinbefore, or as preferred, and need not be describedagain.

As is obvious, the invention principles may be applied whereverreplenishment is to be effected in a shuttle occupying a shiftingshuttle-box, and even when there is a plain box at the other end of thelay, as in the case of a 2x1 loom, in order to simplify thefilling-feeler arrangements.

While I have illustrated and described certain forms in which theinvention may be embodied, I am aware that many modifications may bemade therein by any person skilled in the art, without departing fromthe scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I donot wish to be limited to the particular forms shown, or to the detailsof construction thereof, but

What I do claim is:-

1. In a drop-box loom, in combination, boxmotion devices yieldinglyconnected to the dropbox, means positively maintaining a drop-boxat restwith respect to the lay while the latter is at and about front center,and devices automatically inserting a fresh filling-supply into ashuttle occupying such box from above during the Thereafter theright-hand box period while the box is held against movement withrespect to the lay by such positive means.

2. In a drop-box loom, in combination, a drop box having two adjacentcells, shuttles, fillingcarriers carried thereby, a filling-feeler,means to eject from a shuttle occupying a cell in the dropbox, afilling-carrier found to be substantially depleted by the feeler, andmeans operating to withdraw the binder of an adjacent cell to permitpassage through the latter of the ejected fillingcarrier.

3. In a drop-box loom, in combination, boxmotion devices connected tothe drop-box through a give-way, automatic filling replenishing devicescooperating with a shuttle occupying a cell in the drop-box, and meansfor positively locking the drop-box against movement relatively to thelay at the moment of replenishment.

4. In a loom, in combination, a lay, a shuttle thereon, meansautomatically inserting a fresh filling bobbin in the shuttle, aself-threading device in connection with the shuttle to be threaded bythe drawing-off of filling from within the shuttle, and means operatingto draw the filling axially off from the bobbin as the lay recedes andthus to thread the self-threading device before the replenished shuttleis picked.

5. In a shifting shuttle-box loom, automatic filling-replenishingdevices including a transferrer inserting a fresh bobbin in a shuttle onthe replenishing devices, including bobbin-feeding means, .a stop tolocate the bobbins successively in transfer position as they are fed, ashuttlefeeler, actuating means therefor, and means to actuate thebobbin-feeding means from the shuttle-feeler While the shuttle-feeler ismoving into feeling position to bring the bobbin next to be transferredinto contact with the stop and hence accurately in transfer position.

7. In a loom, in combination, a lay, automatic filling-replenishingmechanism, an actuator setting the replenishing mechanism in readinessfor operation by the lay, a cam rendering the actuator inoperative forthree loom cycles and rendering it operative on the fourth cycle, and afillingfeeler establishing operative connection between the actuator andthe replenishing mechanism.

8. In a loom, in combination, automatic fillingreplenishing mechanism, ashuttle having a selfthreading device, and means maintaining the newfilling-end extending outwardly over and beyond the self-threadingdevice in the plane of the shuttle axis as the lay recedes following areplenishing action.

WILLIAM H. BAKER.

